The ongoing paramilitary operations in the Maoist affected zones of Central India have been the topic of much debate and discussion throughout the country and in the media. However, the debates till now have been relegated to extremely narrow, bi-polar questions of violence/non-violence or State/Anti-State. They have failed to examine critically the role of the state in forcing a model of 'development' on the adivasis, bypassing all provisions in the Vth Schedule of the Constitution, through innumerable industrial and mining projects, leading to a displacement, dispossession and resource grab, virtually destroying the life of the indigenous people in India and exacerbating the fold of the Maoist threat.

The Event:

It is in this context and with such questions that an Independent People's Tribunal on Land Acquisition, Resource Grab and Operation Green Hunt is being organised by a group of concerned citizens and groups, inviting a panel of eminent jurists, administrative service personnel, social scientists and writers. The people's jury, comprising of Hon'ble Justice P. B. Sawant, Justice H. Suresh, Admiral Tahiliani, Professor Yash Pal, Dr. V. Mohini Giri, Dr. P. M. Bhargava and other eminent judges will hear testimonies from the affected people, social activists and experts working in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West Bengal. The tribunal will conduct its hearings on the 9th, 10th and 11th of April 2010 at the Constitution Club, New Delhi.

Since activists and affected people will be arriving in New Delhi from all over Central India, we will be happy to facilitate interviews and provide data and affidavits for relevant stories. Please contact us at the numbers mentioned above, or visit the Media Desk at the event.